BREED STANDARDS AND TRENDS IN PERFORMANCE TEST TRAITS IN THE NATIONAL BOAR PERFORMANCE TESTING PROGRAM (1990-2016)

Abstract

Data from 607 performance-tested boars belonging to Landrace, Large White and Duroc breeds and four terminal crossbreeds were obtained from the National Boar Performance Testing Program held by the Philippine Swine Industry Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (PSIRDFI) from 1990-2016. Breed standards and trends in age in days at 90 kg body weight, average daily gain (ADG), backfat thickness (BFT), feed efficiency (FE), and selection index (SI) value were determined. Boar performance traits were all found to be significantly affected by auction number (batch effect), farm, and breed (P<0.01). Among pure breeds, Large White boars were most outstanding for age at 90 kg (144.6 days), FE (2.40 g/g), and SI (190.8 points). Landrace was best for its low BFT (1.44 cm), while Duroc was top for ADG (922.9 g/day). Small annual improvements in boar performance traits from 1990-2016 were also consistently highest for Large White for age at 90 kg (-1.71 days), BFT (-0.04 cm), FE (-0.03 g/g), and SI value (3.6 points). Among crossbreeds, Pietrain x Large White boars was best for age at 90 kg (141.2 days), ADG (903.8 g/day), BFT (1.33 cm), and SI (194.9 points), while Duroc x Pietrain crosses were had the better FE (2.45 g/g).